Taishan, Clottey, Diaz Jr added to Canelo-Kirkland

A bevy of Golden Boy Promotions talent, as well as a former welterweight titlist, will be featured on the May 9 undercard that is headlined by Canelo ‘Kid Cinnamon’ Alvarez when he takes on James Kirkland at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

Chinese Heavyweight Taishan, Joseph Diaz Jr. and Joshua Clottey will fight in separate bouts, and a batch of Texas native talents lead by James Leija, Jr. will fight on a card with a co-support bout of Frankie Gomez taking on Humberto Soto in what is going to be a full afternoon/night of fights in Texas.

Clottey is a former 147 pound titlist who has danced with the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, and is currently riding a three-fight win streak.

The Ghanian is currently ranked third and eighth in his division by the WBA and WBC sanctioning bodies.

Diaz Jr. was a 2012 Olympian and was last featured on the 3MR’s covered Fight Club event last month from the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Fighting under only one name, Taishan will be in his fourth career professional contest when he takes on Ronny Hale in a four round bout.

Leija Jr. is a rising star fighting out of San Antonio with his fathers’ namesake. Leija Sr. is a former world champion and routinely co-promotes with GBP. Leija Jr. fights in the featherweight division.

Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland is a 12-round super welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions, SMS Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions. The fight will take place Saturday, May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston Texas and is sponsored by Corona Extra, Mexico – Live it to Believe it!, Fred Loya Insurance and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. CT and first bout starts at 11:10 a.m. CT, the HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

An all-new edition of 24/7 Alvarez/Kirkland debuts Tuesday, May 5 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.